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New owner sought for very special dog who has ‘touched hearts’

Staff at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre in Chester le Street, County Durham are looking for a new owner for a very special dog. ‘Julia’, as she’s been named, was starved almost to death by her former owners.

The boxer-cross was rescued by the RSPCA after a call came in about a dog in a hot car. When the inspector arrived she discovered Julia, so emaciated she thought she was dead. It turned out she had been living in the car, tied to the handbrake, for weeks.

Several months later, she is fully recovered and being cared for by staff at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre where she’s patiently waiting for a new home.

RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre deputy manager Rebecca Williams said: “She has been with us for several months and has touched all our hearts here at Felledge.

“When she first arrived we didn’t know what the future would hold for her, she was extremely thin and hated being in enclosed spaces.

“But despite the horrific neglect that she has endured she has been a delight to care for and we want nothing more than a wonderful new home for her.”

Julia’s former owners appeared in court last month where they pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide her with a nutritionally balanced diet and failing to meet her needs by failing to provide a suitable environment for her to live in. They were banned from keeping any animals for five years. They were also sentenced to a 12 month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of a low level activity. They were each ordered to pay £260 in costs.

Julia is a young dog thought to be about three years old. She is extremely lively and playful and is looking for a home with slightly older children, or those who are used to having a dog. She gets on well with other dogs at the centre but would need to meet any canine members of the family. Her over-interest in cats at the centre means she is looking for a cat-free home.

“We’ve worked really hard with Julia, and she’s now fine in enclosed spaces and even travels well. She is an absolute joy and will make a wonderful pet for the right family,” said Rebecca.

Anyone interested in offering Julia the second chance she deserves can contact the RSPCA Felledge on 0300 123 0708. The centre is open 11.30am – 3pm every day except Wednesdays for anyone wanting to go along. People are not invited to look around the kennels at RSPCA Felledge, instead potential new owners are asked to fill in a form and meet and walk the dogs they’re a match for.